Comments Follow Recent Clashes Between China its Regional Neighbors in the South and East China Seas

CANBERRA, Australia—A top U.S. Marine Pacific commander has urged close ally Australia to consider taking on a more visible regional policing role, saying he would like the country to deploy large new amphibious warships into the South and East China Seas in future to help allay security uncertainty caused by a more assertive China.

Following recent clashes between China and regional neighbors including Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam in the East and South China Sea, the deputy commander of the Marines in the Pacific...